A worker, who asked not to be named, paints the stage of the Sylvan Theater with the Washington Monument in the background, on the National Mall in Washington, Friday, May 2, 2014. The Washington Monument is scheduled to reopen May 12 after earthquake damages were repaired.

For years, the mall's grounds and facilities have fallen into disrepair, even though it's is the most-visited national park. Visitors often find dead grass, broken sidewalks and fetid pools of water. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)